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Mofox’s journey from Newbie to the UK National Tournament.
The Day Mofox got owned
August 4, 2006 

So here it finally is duel 1 of my 2-0 defeat to a far superior player.  A 2005 National Qualifier; going 6-0 in that tournament and duelling on table 1 before scrubbing out of the tournament.  He has also beaten the very well known players Dale Bellido and Paul Levitin.  I was very nervous going into this matchup as I had read his reputation in his signature on the Pojo message boards.  He was good and I was only having my 13^th ever duel.  So here it is…

The day Mofox got schooled!!

DimSum286 (10:25:22): ok me first

M0F0X9 (10:25:39): ok 8000-8000

DimSum286 (10:25:47): set 1 mon 1 s/t end turn

My opponent choose to go first and started with a typical first turn move.  I had no idea at this point what deck he was running.  I had an inclination it may be cookie cutter.  I hadn’t faced a deck that solid before and decided to see how the hand destruction deck I had been using against Ilya would work.  Well I was soon to find out the hard way it wouldn’t.

M0F0X9 (10:26:16): ok I drw activate NOC on your FD, respond?

DimSum286 (10:26:39): no its mystic tomato

M0F0X9 (10:27:19): I set 1 mon and 1 s/t and end turn

I didn’t have the best starting hand, I had 2 Gravekeepers Spies in my deck and had drew both of them in my opening hand.  I tried NOC to see if I could hit a flip monster like Dekoichi.  It was during this duel I really learned the importance of hand management.  If you look at my first turn here, I had already halved my hand.  I only had 3 cards left and the duel had only just begun.  Factor into the equation that 2 of the cards in my opening hand had become just 2000 DEF walls and nothing else, I really should’ve been more conservative.

DimSum286 (10:27:27): draw, special summon cyber dragon respond?

M0F0X9 (10:27:43): no

DimSum286 (10:27:47): attack fd

M0F0X9 (10:28:22): GK spy, can't use effect

Signalling to my opponent that I either only had 1 GK Spy in my deck which is unlikely or any other GK cards I had (most likely is a 2^nd GK Spy) is already in my hand.

DimSum286 (10:28:31): ok done with turn

It was a smart move my DimSum.  Because Cyber Dragon was special summoned he could play aggressively with it and if my set s/t destroyed it then he could still set something in Main Phase 2 to prevent an attack by me.

M0F0X9 (10:28:47): ok I drw activate my fd s/t smashing ground respond?

DimSum286 (10:29:35): no

M0F0X9 (10:29:48): set 1 mon fd and set 1 s/t and end turn

I had set my other GK Spy.  DimSum wouldn’t be sure that was the card but he could have a pretty good idea after the last turn.  However my hand was depleting quickly, whereas DimSum was conserving his well.  I now had 2 to his 4

DimSum286 (10:30:03): u got 1 in hand?

M0F0X9 (10:30:06): 2

DimSum286 (10:30:16): how many fd m/t

M0F0X9 (10:30:20): 1

DimSum286 (10:30:42): draw set 1 s/t and 1 monster done

M0F0X9 (10:31:26): ok I drw how many in hand?

DimSum286 (10:31:58): 3

M0F0X9 (10:32:16): you got 2 set s/t?

DimSum286 (10:32:19): yeah

The situation was that DimSum had 3 in hand and 3 cards on the field.  6 in total and in pretty much the same situation as at the start of the duel.  I had 3 in hand and 2 on the field.  5 in total and already –1 from the start of the duel.  Where had this –1 occurred? Simple Cyber Dragon.  Cyber Dragon took 2 of my cards before it left the field, GK Spy and Smashing Ground.  That is where I had become –1.  Life Points at this point were equal therefore the only way to determine who was winning was to look at card advantage.

M0F0X9 (10:33:08): activate my fd dust and choose the 1st s/t you set respond?

DimSum286 (10:33:16): no its sakuretsu armour

M0F0X9 (10:34:54): trib my fd mon to summon Thesty and choose the middle card out of the 3 to discard unless you have a response?

I summoned Thestalos to try and gain some advantage, but really had I gained any advantage from his effect.  I lost a monster on the field and my opponent lost a card in hand.  We had both lost a card regardless.  The only way I could turn this into advantage over my opponent was to destroy a monster on the field.  I’d previously cleared the way a little by removing one of the set s/t.

DimSum286 (10:35:01): no response what’s your fd monster?

M0F0X9 (10:35:10): GK spy drew both in my starting hand, nice lol

DimSum286 (10:35:27): dust tornado is discarded

M0F0X9 (10:35:58): Thesty atks your fd, respond?

DimSum286 (10:36:04): dekoichi, so I draw

M0F0X9 (10:36:47): ok I set 1 s/t and end

DimSum286 (10:36:53): end phase of your turn mst your fd s/t

M0F0X9 (10:37:17): you got smoke grenade of the thief

Thestalos had hit a Dekoichi.  So although I had destroyed a monster DimSum had gained a card in hand.  I had gained no advantage at all during this turn.  Here is what happened more clearly:

DimSum

Cards in Hand:- Lost 1 from Thestalos effect

                           Gained 1 from Dekoichi flip

                        = no change in number of cards in hand (3)

Cards on Field:- Lost 1 from Thestalos destroying Dekoichi

                           Lost 1 from Dust Tornado destroying Sakuretsu Armour

                           Lost 1 from using MST on my fd s/t

                        = -3 from the number of cards on the field (0)

Mofox

Cards in Hand:- Drew 1 card at beginning of turn

                           Lost 1 when summoning Thestalos

                           Lost 1 when setting a fd s/t

                        = -1 change in number of cards in hand (1)

Cards on Field:- Lost 1 from tributing away GK Spy

                           Gained 1 from summoning Thestalos

                           Lost 1 from using Dust Tornado

                           Lost 1 from getting Smoke Grenade destroyed

                        = -2 in number of cards on the field (1)

Final Totals:- DimSum = -3 Mofox = -3

I hadn’t gained any advantage plus I only had 1 card on the field (easily removed) and 1 in hand.  My options were very slim.  In addition it was now DimSum’s turn he was about to draw giving him 4 possible options to use this turn.

DimSum286 (10:37:27): draw, cards in hand?

M0F0X9 (10:37:37): 1

DimSum286 (10:37:43): and thestalos

M0F0X9 (10:37:45): yep

DimSum286 (10:37:46): and that is it?

M0F0X9 (10:37:49): yep

DimSum286 (10:37:58): play rota, grab don

DimSum286 (10:38:29): smashing ground on Thesty

Easily removed as I mentioned above

DimSum286 (10:38:47): summon don, attack

M0F0X9 (10:39:03): discard gearfried the iron knight

DimSum286 (10:39:10): 8000-6600

DimSum286 (10:39:18): r u top decking now?

M0F0X9 (10:39:44): I concur on the LP's and yes to the top decking

DimSum286 (10:39:56): set 1 s/t, end

DimSum had now taken full control of the duel in just 4 turns.  I had no field and no hand.  I was top decking and in an awful situation.  DimSum had also taken a chunk out of my Life Points.  He was clearly in the lead now.  To get rid of Thestalos he had to use a smashing ground, no change there still +1 on me.  Next to get rid of my card in hand he needed to use ROTA to get a Don Zaloog.  That wasn’t a problem though as essentially all DimSum had done was swap his ROTA with a Don, losing no card advantage at all.  Don still remained in play meaning it had not cost DimSum anything to get rid of my card in hand.  Now at this point you may argue that DimSum is +3 on me but remember he has had an extra turn he is still really only +2.  He was also now leading in Life Points.  Things were about to get cagey.

M0F0X9 (10:40:02): ok I drw, I set 1 mon and end turn

With Don out I couldn’t afford to leave cards in my hand, plus I also needed to protect my life points.  Luckily I had drew Spirit Reaper, which hopefully could hold off DimSum while I drew my hand back.

DimSum286 (10:40:22): draw, shift don to def mode, and end

DimSum must have been concerned that his hand was short.  It wasn’t a problem for him though as he was still 2 ahead it would take a strong move for me to catch up.

M0F0X9 (10:40:47): I drw and end

I’d just drawn Tsukuyomi, a very useful card.  DimSum’s fd s/t was worrying me though so I decided to keep it in my hand.  Also with Reaper protecting me now I knew that Don couldn’t get through and discard it from my hand.

DimSum286 (10:42:12): draw play confiscation

M0F0X9 (10:42:49): 7000-6600

M0F0X9 (10:42:55): discard only card tsuku

DimSum286 (10:43:07): end

Oh well looks like DimSum had another way of getting rid of my card

M0F0X9 (10:43:13): I drw

M0F0X9 (10:43:24): your field please?

DimSum286 (10:43:30): don in def and 1 fd m/t

DimSum286 (10:43:38): 2 in hand

M0F0X9 (10:44:22): activate smash, respond?

DimSum286 (10:44:26): no

M0F0X9 (10:44:43): and end

Rather than lose my card again I decided to use it.  There was a possibility that DimSum was trying to draw into a tribute monster.  I didn’t want him to have the option of being able to tribute.

DimSum286 (10:44:50): draw, end

M0F0X9 (10:45:05): drw, set 1 mon fd and end

I had drew a card that may start helping me gain some advantage back.  Dekoichi.

DimSum286 (10:45:27): u have 2 fd monsters?

M0F0X9 (10:45:32): yes

DimSum286 (10:45:40): drw, set a monster and end

M0F0X9 (10:45:46): ok I drw

M0F0X9 (10:46:13): flip summon dekoichi

DimSum286 (10:46:18): ok

M0F0X9 (10:46:23): drw

I had clawed back a card by flip summoning Dekoichi.  I now had 2 in hand and 2 on the field, total 4.  DimSum had 3 in hand and 2 on the field, total 5.  The advantage card wise was now only +1 in DimSum’s favour.  I think at this point the blood rushed to my head as I thought I could make a huge swing in my favour.  I was to be very wrong.

M0F0X9 (10:46:45): you have 1 fd m/t?

DimSum286 (10:46:48): yea

M0F0X9 (10:47:41): and 1 fd mon?

DimSum286 (10:47:44): yea

M0F0X9 (10:48:13): I activate mystic plasma zone, respond?

DimSum286 (10:48:18): no

M0F0X9 (10:48:22): and summon don

DimSum286 (10:48:29): chain torrential tribute

Now in all my previous duels I had not come across Torrential Tribute, I learned from this that it is a very good card.  The cards I had gradually been collecting had been wiped out in a devastating move.  Just to explain what I was trying to do.  I’d assumed that DimSum’s set s/t was a Sakuretsu Armour.  As such I could with my 3 monsters lose one to Sak Armour destroy the set monster with another and hit DimSum’s hand with either Don or Reaper.  That would have levelled the game card wise.  I would have none in hand and 3 on the field and DimSum would’ve had none on the field and 3 in hand.  However due to his TT I now had none in hand and 1 on field and DimSum had none on field and 3 in hand.  He was now back to being +2.  Also I had a clear field bar Mystic Plasma Zone, I was wide open for my lifepoints to be hit further.

DimSum286 (10:48:51): I lose reaper

M0F0X9 (10:49:35): I lose dekoichi, don and my fd reaper

M0F0X9 (10:50:09): err I end (shakes head)

DimSum286 (10:50:15): draw set a fd m/t and end

Confusing? I would’ve thought that DimSum would’ve capitalised on my clear field but he never.  He must have had no monsters in his hand.  I had been spared for a turn.

M0F0X9 (10:50:50): I drw I set 1 mon and end

DimSum286 (10:51:27): draw set 1 monster and end

M0F0X9 (10:51:42): I drw set 1 s/t and end

DimSum286 (10:51:58): draw set a fd m/t and end

M0F0X9 (10:52:57): I drw and end

Things were extremely cagey.  I was actually relieved, as I was able to get some cards back and build up a bit of a defense.

DimSum286 (10:53:09): at the end of your turn dust your fd m/t

DimSum broke the draw/set/pass by destroying my only set s/t.  He was ready to do something.

M0F0X9 (10:53:21): sak armour

DimSum286 (10:53:26): draw play dark hole

M0F0X9 (10:54:03): your mon?

DimSum286 (10:54:04): I lose sangan

M0F0X9 (10:54:19): I lose gearfried

DimSum286 (10:54:28): I'm gonna search for reaper

DimSum286 (10:54:36): summon reaper and attack

M0F0X9 (10:54:57): discard only card in hand, mystic plasma zone

DimSum286 (10:55:12): 7000-5800

DimSum286 (10:57:05): end of turn

In a swift move DimSum had gained even more advantage and even used my own Mystic Plasma Zone against me with his Reaper attacking with a boosted ATK value.  He had set his Sangan and used Dark Hole netting him a card in hand.  Then he summoned Reaper and hit my hand and my lifepoints.  DimSum now had 3 in hand and 2 on the field.  I had none in hand and only 1 on the field.  DimSum had gone first so really he only had a +3 on me although it looks like +4.  It was just a matter of time now for when DimSum wanted to finish me.

M0F0X9 (10:57:08): I drw set 1 s/t and end

DimSum286 (10:57:34): draw play heavy storm r?

M0F0X9 (10:59:01): no, enemy cont and mystic plasma gone

DimSum286 (10:59:08): ok ill chain call of the haunted targeting sangan

DimSum286 (10:59:14): I search for dekoichi

DimSum286 (10:59:18): shift reaper to def

DimSum286 (10:59:55): set 1 m/t and 1 mon

DimSum286 (11:00:14): end turn

DimSum was in full flow now.  He had now wiped me out completely.  I had no hand and no field whereas he was looking at a hand of 2 and a field of 3.  Total domination.

M0F0X9 (11:00:40): I drw set 1 mon and end

After an equal number of turns I had 1 card to DimSum’s 5, an advantage of +4 in DimSum’s favour.  He was also ahead on lifepoints.  In fact the only damage to his lifepoints was done by his own Confiscation.

DimSum286 (11:01:22): draw flip dekoichi

DimSum286 (11:01:29): draw

DimSum286 (11:01:35): shift reaper to attack mode

DimSum286 (11:01:49): summon exiled force

DimSum286 (11:02:04): tribute to destroy fd monster

M0F0X9 (11:02:11): sangan

M0F0X9 (11:02:36): search for reaper

DimSum286 (11:02:42): my reaper attack

M0F0X9 (11:02:59): mine gone

DimSum286 (11:03:00): and my dekoichi attack

DimSum286 (11:03:07): 7000-4100

DimSum286 (11:03:13): end turn

Maybe DimSum was toying with me I don’t know but he was clearly going to win.  I never give up though and was determined to see this through to the end of the duel.  DimSum had gained further advantage over me (both lifepoints and card) during his turn again.

M0F0X9 (11:03:21): ok I drw

Again at an equal number of turns I had 1 card and DimSum now had 3 in hand and 3 on field, total 6.  A +5 advantage.

M0F0X9 (11:03:58): your backfield?

DimSum286 (11:04:06): 1 fd m/t

M0F0X9 (11:04:57): summon mystic tom, r?

DimSum286 (11:05:01): no

M0F0X9 (11:05:14): atk dekoichi r?

DimSum286 (11:05:18): chain with widespread ruin

M0F0X9 (11:06:07): end turn

In a last ditch move I tried to suicide my Tomato to get another monster on the field while getting rid of DimSum’s Dekoichi.  He was prepared though, and I lost my last card.

DimSum286 (11:06:11): draw tribute my reaper for goldd

DimSum286 (11:06:27): goldd and dekoichi attack

DimSum286 (11:06:53): 7000-400

DimSum286 (11:07:04): set 1 fd m/t end turn

DimSum must have finally decided to finish me off.

M0F0X9 (11:07:20): ok I drw set 1 s/t and end

DimSum286 (11:07:44): draw

DimSum286 (11:07:52): dekoichi attack…

M0F0X9 (11:08:02): Game Over!

So there we have it a break down of one of my duels.  Now before I get a load of emails claiming how I made this stupid mistake and that stupid mistake.  Please take into context where I am coming from.  This was my 13^th ever duel, and at the present I only have 35+ duels worth of experience to be able to analyse this duel.  I will no doubt have made some mistakes which is fine, and I do want to know what they are so that I can improve my only request is no bashing and no flaming.  I want your help but I won’t tolerate abuse.

So hopefully now, you newbies can see more of my thought processes and hopefully they will help you in your own duelling decisions.  I got utterly OWNED.  There is no other way to describe it.  I was beaten badly.  I had made some bad decisions along the way but DimSum never put a foot wrong.  If you look at every single one of his moves, try and find one that was wrong.  He didn’t make a single mistake.  There is not actually much I can say except try and duel like DimSum and less like I did.

Actually I learnt a lot from this duel.  It highlighted to me about conservative play and not overextending.  My duelling mindset was still very much aggro orientated.  I wanted to blast out of the blocks and attack attack attack.  DimSum showed me that even when there is an open field to attack into, playing conservatively and ensuring you have the right options (and more importantly protection) then eventually the opportunity will arise where you are 100% sure you will be able to take victory.  Now that isn’t how you should play all the time.  Sometimes changing the tempo to an aggressive tempo can put off your opponent, but up until this point in my duelling career I had not considered using a conservative approach.  In the next duel we changed decks and I purposefully decided to use a burn deck to make me play more conservatively.  DimSum chose a new Soul Control Variant with 10 tribute monsters!

In my last turn-by-turn duel article I had mentioned about a ruling with Blast With Chain.  Well a nice judge pointed out to me that it doesn’t matter whether Gearfried or MST destroys it as long as it is an equip card at the time of destruction then it will still get its effect.  Because I have chained it and then activated it, as soon as it is activated then it becomes an equip card.  I could in essence equip it to any monster as MST destroys it during the chain anyway.  Thanx to the kind judge for sorting that out for me.

As you have read in my last article responding to Dark Maltos I have plenty of new articles coming up in the future.  I am trying to get through them as quickly as I can but life is definitely taking up a lot of my time.  My job is getting busy, my newborn child is keeping me awake all night and the football season is about to start again soon.  Please readers be patient, the articles are coming.  I especially need your help with my Deck Evolution Articles. 

Most of you might have now read Dark Maltos’ comeback article and can see what he was trying to do.  You could say his heart was in the right place, I just disagreed with his method.  Well we are getting together soon to chat about things so look out in the future for maybe some new possible articles from the both of us.

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

I would like to apologise to those readers who might think they have not had a response to their emails.  You have, but unfortunately for some unknown reason many of the replies I sent have been rejected.  Now I think this may be to with some of the obscure email addresses that you guys have, but I have also noticed that my emails have not been going to @aol.com addresses either.  Picture my face as I log in to my email to see over 150 emails on one day.  Needless to say I thought I was popular, however my joy turned to horror as I opened my inbox and saw approx 75 email rejections.  If you still have copies of your original emails in a sent box or something similar resend and I will find a way to reply to you.

My email address is mofox9@hotmail.co.uk email me for any help or advice or even your opinions on my articles.  I would love to hear your opinions and if you have any suggestions to improve them then let me know.  I will reply to all emails that are sent to me.  Remember newbies no question is a stupid question.

Until next time fellow duellists!